A Chance Discovery

For many students, the path to graduate school is carefully planned. But for Maris Jones, the journey to earning her master’s degree in Youth, Family, and Community Sciences (YFCS) at NC State was unexpected—yet a perfect fit. “I found the YFCS program completely by accident,” she said. Jones was considering graduate school and googled ‘graduate school programs for youth programming that isn’t teaching,’ and NC State came up!

Although the program was a surprise, her passion for working with youth was not. Throughout college, she was involved in program and curriculum planning for her sorority and various jobs, which helped her discover her ideal career path. “It checked all the boxes I needed—working with a specific population, having a creative outlet, and making a lasting impact,” she said.

As Jones approaches her final year at NC State, she reflects on how the university has shaped her both professionally and personally. “My time at NC State has helped me better understand myself as a professional and as a leader,” she said. “I’ve learned more about my career goals and have met incredible people in my program who are doing meaningful work. Seeing their impact has me thinking about my future in new ways.”

She credits her peers—Rachael Landau, Jessica Corn, and Cristal Avalos—for their support and inspiration, as well as faculty member Maru Gonzalez, whose work aligns with her aspirations. “I can’t wait to take more of her classes this summer and fall,” she added.

Beyond her coursework, Jones is an active member of the campus community. She is part of the Graduate Student Association for the Agricultural and Human Sciences (AHS) department and serves as a Silver Leadership Coach for the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement.

Jones traces her passion for youth development back to her upbringing. “My mom played a big role in who I am and why I chose this degree and career path,” she said. “She got my sisters and me involved in volunteer work early on, and those experiences shaped my interests and passion for serving others.”

Outside of her studies, Jones works as a Digital Marketing Coordinator in Enrollment Communications at UNC Greensboro. In this role, she creates marketing content to engage prospective students, manages the university’s Undergraduate Admissions social media accounts, and oversees a team of student content creators.

“With fewer students attending college due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my job is to show them that higher education is still an option,” she explained. “I provide information about resources, majors, career paths, and student life, and I serve as a resource for students who have questions about UNCG or college in general.”

Although her long-term goal isn’t in marketing, her work is deeply personal. “I struggled during my own college search,” she said. “I also had experience in social media management while working for a public relations firm, where our biggest client was the North Carolina NAACP. My time at UNCG was one of the best decisions I ever made, and I want to help students find the right fit for them.”

With graduation approaching in May 2025, Jones is already thinking about her next steps. “I plan to find a job and move next year!” she said. In five years, she envisions herself designing and implementing youth programs, especially for underrepresented or underserved communities and youth with disabilities. “I want to be in a role where I’m making a tangible impact,” she said. “This program has given me the tools and confidence to take that next step.”

From an unexpected Google search to a clear career path, Jones’ journey in YFCS shows the power of following your passion and finding the right place to grow.